Newport 2011

Local attractions and events

Things to do in and around Newport, South Wales during Summer 2011. Kids treats, days out, wet weather activities (for children and adults), classy shopping places to visit - the sorts of things that add that extra dimension to your visit.

• Barefoot Ceramics pottery painting
• Riverfront Arts Centre
• Newport Museum & Art Gallery
• Newport Wetlands

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Current Events in and around South Wales, UK

• These what's-on links are provided without warranty and rely on information from various sources. We can not guarantee the information is correct so you should ring ahead before making plans.
• Guided tour: Highlights of Art

  A tour of some of our art galleries with a Volunteer Guide.  Tuesdays - Highlights of Art: Contemporary Art Galleries Wednesdays - Highlights of Art: Historic Art Galleries Thursdays - Highlights of Art: Impressionist and Modern Art Galleries Fridays - Highlights of Art: Contemporary Art Galleries Saturdays - Highlights of Art: Historic Art Galleries Sundays - Highlights of Art: Impressionist and Modern Art Galleries

• Spinners, Weavers and Dyers

  The Spinners, Weavers and Dyers meet at the Museum on Wednesdays, fortnightly, to chat as they spin, weave and dye, all are welcome to join, bring your own material. Please ring to check dates.

• Guided tours: Origins — in search of early Wales

  The Archaeology gallery Origins: In Search of Early Wales traces life in Wales from the earliest humans 230,000 years ago. Who were our ancestors, and how different were they from us? What has changed and what has caused these changes? Visit the gallery and follow the arrival of the first hominins (humans) in the Old Stone Age to the end of the Middle Ages. Visit the Group and BSL tours available, call (029) 2057 3325

• Village Trail

  The Village Trail is available at all times. Follow a self guided walk around the village of Drefach Felindre highlighting historical and interesting facts about the woollen industry in the locality. There are two routes available one which takes around three quarters of an hour to complete and one which takes around an hour and a half to complete. The growth of the woollen industry in Dre-fach Felindre and the surrounding area had a huge impact on our landscape and the people who lived here. The period from the late 1800’s until the early 1900’s is known as the golden era of the industry. Increased work opportunities attracted many other people to the village, and as a result Dre-fach Felindre grew. For more information please contact the National Wool Museum.

• The Knitting Club

  The knitting club meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, please contact the museum to check dates. All are welcom to join the National Wool Museum's knitting group. Why not join in, learn how to knit, share your patterns and have a chat in the Museum's cafe.

• Carmarthen Spinners and Ceredigion Spinners, Weavers and Dyers

  The Spinners, Weavers and Dyers meet at the Museum on Wednesdays, fortnightly, to chat as they spin, weave and dye. All are welcome to join, bring your own material. Please ring to check dates.

• The Woolly Tale

  The Woolly Tale is available at all times. A fun and educational trail for families helping you to discover the process from Fleece to Fabric.

• Making History: 1500-1700

  Combining our historical and archaeological collections, this exhibition provides a glimpse of some of the turning points in Welsh history during these 200 years. The Making History project will transform the visitor experience at St Fagans: National History Museum. We are extending the range of stories, so that visitors can follow the history of the development of Wales from the very first human inhabitants. We begin by looking at the period AD 1500-1700 – a time of great change. Wales, like many other countries, witnessed great changes between AD 1500 and 1700. This was the period of the Tudors and Stuarts, religious upheaval, the union of Wales with England and civil war. Objects in the exhibition include: Kemeys Rood FigureIn Wales around 500 years ago, carvings such as this one would have been seen in every church. Discovered walled-up in Kemeys Inferior Church, Monmouthshire, in the 1800s. Of the four known to have survived, three were found in Wales.St Catherine wall-painting An image of St Catherine that remained hidden for centuries under layers of limewash at St Teilo’s Church in Pontarddulais, near Swansea. It came to light in the 1980s.1588 BibleThe first complete Welsh Bible, translated in 1588. Queen Elizabeth I endorsed a translation of the Bible not to save a language, but to promote Protestanism among the Welsh.Sir Rhys ap Thomas bed One of the earliest surviving four-poster beds from Wales, made 500 years ago for Sir Rhys ap Thomas, a member of the ancient Welsh upper classes. Justice’s chair Before 1600, chairs were rare pieces of furniture. Most people sat on benches or stools, or on the floor. This chair comes from Tregib, an important estate in the Tywi Valley, Carmarthenshire. Did it belong to Morgan ap John ap Harry of Tregib? He was a Justice of the Peace in 1581 and later Sheriff of Carmarthenshire in 1602.Ewenny armourA cache of armour deliberately concealed in a field near Ewenny Priory, Vale of Glamorgan. It may have been hidden during the 1646 Royalist uprising led by Sir Edward Carne, who owned the land at this time.Tregwynt HoardOne of Wales’s finest coin hoards was discovered by Roy Lewis at Tregwynt Mansion, north Pembrokeshire, in September 1996 after ground was levelled to build a tennis court.

• Tessera Hospitalis

  The Tessera Hospitalis is an ancient symbol of friendship and long distance ties. From archaeology and the ancient comedy of Plautus, Poenulus, we know that some 3000 years ago friends exchanged such objects stretching their bonds to each other over hundreds of miles and generations. In a world of the ancient Mediterranean, where people were often on the move, hospitality was key. This sculpture has been inspired by the ancient Tessera Hospitalis, a small unique token made of ivory, metal or clay, which could be in any shape - a lion, boar, ram, gheko or an abstract symbol. It was made in two parts, each friend holding on to a half as a promise and as a marker of identity to be presented next time they, or their children, reunited. This modern sculpture is an interpretation of the ancient Tessera and what it represents. It is not static but mobile, as it is only one half of the whole. Each shape has been uniquely created by a pupil from one of the nine Swansea schools, that took part in the project Future Memory in Place: Cila, Cwm Glas, Cwmrhydyceirw, Dylan Thomas, Hendrefoilan, Morriston, Parkland, Sea View and St Helens, as well as other members of the Swansea community. Each of them is the guardian of their Tessera which links them to this monument and the moment of its creation. What will be the stories of the Tesserae of this sculpture - only those who made them and hold the other half will know - as they extend their ties to each other and the ancientport of Swansea into the future and across the globe. Visit http://projects.beyondtext.ac.uk/deplacingfuturememory-fo/index.php for more details about the project and the main funders - Arts and Humanities Research Council and the underpinning research at the University of Exeter Classics and Ancient History Department.

• Music in the Museum

  Cardiff Coffee Concerts at Reardon Smith Theatre (11.30am), National Museum Cardiff. Remember - your ticket includes a coffee, fruit juice or sherry after the concert, and a 10% discount off a delicious Sunday lunch in our Oriel restaurant. 16 October 2011 – Katharina Wolpe (piano) 20 November 2011 - Cavaleri String Quartet 11 December 2011 - Musica Viva 15 January 2012 - Frith Piano Quartet 5 February 2012 - Benyounes Quartet 4 March 2012 - Gail Pearson (soprano), Andrew Owens Matthews (piano) 15 April 2012 - Badke String Quartet If you are age 8-25 you can attend certain concerts for FREE. No need to book in advance – simply turn up on the day. Thanks to CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust. CAVATINA ticket offer does not apply to Katharina Wolpe (16 October 2011) & Gail Pearson, Andrew Owens Matthews (5 March 2012) concerts. Cardiff Coffee Concerts are developed in partnership with CwpanAur. Supported by CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust, Cardiff Hoteliers Association and DHB ltd.

• Ffresh Festival Fringe: Mike Leigh Masterclass - 06/02/2012

  Mike Leigh is to speak at the Ffresh Festival Fringe on route to the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival where he will preside as the Jury President. Throughout his long and distinguished career Mike Leigh has created numerous original, distinctive, and thought provoking films which have firmly established him as a major filmmaker. Famed for his improvisational method of developing scripts, he is also highly regarded, and loved by audiences around the world, for his compassion, humour, and ability to create characters who are grating, loveable, hysterical, and endearing, and who all contain traits we see in ourselves or others. His work is as close to life as cinema can get whilst also being entertaining, daring, and unique. Ffresh Fringe: part of Ffresh - the Student Moving Image Festival of Wales taking place at The Riverfront and Newport Film School from 8 - 10 February 2012.

• Ides of March (15) - 06/02/2012

  Director: George Clooney Starring: Paul Giamatti, George Clooney and Philip Seymour Hoffman USA, 2011, 1 hour 41 min A stellar cast buoys this political drama based on the play by Farragut North. Structured like a chess game, The Ides of March watches the strategists of a presidential campaign struggle with the wrongdoings of their mostly ideal democratic candidate. Damage control is a tricky game made of power checks, whispered threats and backroom deals. This movie's strength is in the acting in Gosling as Stephen Myers, a true believer working for Governor Mike Morris' (Clooney) Presidential bid but his relationship with campaign volunteer Molly (Wood) and machinations between rival campaign managers (Hoffman, Giamatti) show him the candidate in a new light, embroiling Myers in a dangerous game of sex, betrayal and ambition. Ffresh Student Moving Image Festival Now in its 10th year, Ffresh - the Student Moving Image Festival of Wales - features the best student work from Wales, the UK, and abroad, along with masterclasses, panel sessions and workshops with some of the industry's most renowned and respected figures. The festival takes place at The Riverfront and Newport Film School from 8 - 10 February 2012. Below is a taste of what will happen at The Riverfront, but look at www.ffresh.com for the full programme and more info! The programme includes: Monday 6 February at 11am - 1pm: Masterclass with legendary film maker Mike Leigh Wednesday 8 February at 5.30pm: Ffresh Best UK Graduate Documentary Wednesday 8 February at 7.30pm: Ffresh opening night film Walk Away Renee with writer and director Jonatahn Caouette introducing the film Thursday 9 February from 2pm - 9.30pm: Short film screenings including Ffresh Experimental, Ffresh Factual, Ficcion 2, Ffresh Best UK Graduate Animation, Newport Shorts and All Tomorrow's Parties Friday 10 February from 11am - 8pm: Screenings including Walk Away Renee, Ffresh Welsh Language, Ffresh Fiction Postgraduate, Documentaire and S4C Community Shorts Friday 10 February at 8pm: Ffresh Awards Show There's lots more going on during the Ffresh festival, please see www.ffresh.com for full programme!

• Ffresh Festival: Newport Shorts - 09/02/2012

  Ffresh Festival presents five new short films by students from the Newport Film School adapted from stories submitted to the Newport Stories Project. Newport Stories is a collaboration between Ffresh, the Newport Film School, The Riverfront, and the residents of Newport, which celebrates the city through tales told in 50 words or less and a photograph. All the stories on hosted on the project website www.newportstories.tumblr.com and a selection will feature as part of an exhibition at The Riverfront from Jan 27th to Feb 10th. More details on the films to follow.

• Ffresh Festival: All Tomorrow's Parties - 09/02/2012

  Jonathan Caouette directed this documentary for Warp Pictures about the cult music festival, All Tomorrow's Parties - a heady combination of alternative music, crazy golf and chalet-living, curated by a single band or artist. Described as a "post-punk DIY bricolage" the film was created using footage generated by the fans and musicians attending the events themselves, on a multitude of formats including Super8, camcorder and mobile phone. The film will be introduced by Jonathan. The Jonathan Caouette Retrospective is sponsored by British Council Wales.

• Buddy Hollys' Rock 'n' Roll Jukebox - 09/02/2012

  This breathtaking show from Buddy and the boys - who have for eighteen electrifying years, delighted audiences across the globe from Cardiff to California, from Barking to Bangkok - is guaranteed to have everyone singing along to the music and dancing in the aisles. Featuring some of the finest and talented actor-musicians in the business, whose combined West End credits include Buddy, Lennon, Return to the Forbidden Planet, Jailhouse Rock and Sunday In The Park With George, Buddy Holly And The Cricketers was endorsed as Britain's most popular Buddy Holly act when they guest starred on BBC One's Saturday night live programme, The One and Only, hosted by Graham Norton. "The audience were dancing in the aisles and roaring for more" The Stage "You won't believe it's not Buddy" Bangkok Post Whatever the season, whatever the excuse to party, make your heart beat a little faster with the show that has thousands of fans the world over saying: I Can't believe it's not Buddy!

• Ffresh - The Student Moving Image Festival of Wales - 06/02/2012

  Ffresh Now in its 10th year, Ffresh - the Student Moving Image Festival of Wales - features the best student work from Wales, the UK, and abroad, along with masterclasses, panel sessions and workshops with some of the industry's most renowned and respected figures. Highlights include more than 30 individual screenings and masterclasses with renowned filmmakers such as Mike Leigh (Vera Drake, Secrets & Lies), Jonathan Caouette (Tarnation, Walk Away Renee), Asif Kapadia (Senna, The Warrior), and Merlin Crossingam (below, Creative Director for Wallace & Gromit at Aardman Animations). Taking place in Newport for the first time at The Riverfront and the City Campus of the University of Wales, Newport. The programme will also feature all the shortlisted work for the prestigious Ffresh Awards and the best new short films from around the world chosen by Ffresh's international partner festivals. You can buy a day pass for Thursday 9 or Friday 10 February for £10.50 per day, a two-day festival pass for £15 or tickets for individual sessions and Fringe events as listed on the full programme. The full festival programme can be found on the Ffresh website www.Ffresh.com where tickets can also be purchased. You can also book on The Riverfront website or at The Riverfront box office or by calling 01633 656757. To find out how you can contribute a story to the Ffresh Newport Stories project - featuring 50 word factual tales about the city accompanied with a single photograph - go to newportstories.tumblr.com

• Ffresh Festival: Walk Away Renee - 08/02/2012

  Ffresh is proud to host the UK premiere of Jonathan Caouette's long awaited follow up to his highly acclaimed debut feature Tarnation. "Few filmmakers working today can meld the formal wizardry on display here with a relatively straightforward account of a serious personal subject. With a soundtrack of quiet standards accompanying some extremely imaginative apocalyptic abstractions, Caouette has achieved a balancing act bordering on genius." Howard Feinstein, ScreenDaily In Walk Away Renee, Jonathan embarks on a road trip to move his mentally ill mother Renée across the country. As they encounter roadblocks in the present, we begin to flash back to moments from the past, giving us insight into this anything-but-ordinary mother/son relationship. Through musical montage, psychedelic sequences and real and imagined circumstance the film raises questions about love, sacrifice, and the reality in which we live. The film will be introduced by writer & director Jonathan Caouette. The Jonathan Caouette retrospective is sponsored by British Council Wales.

• Arts & Crafts Fair : Ty Celf - 17/12/2011

  Hand crafted cards, ceramics, paintings, weaving plus many other items. Unless otherwise stated, the event is free to enter and will take place on the upstairs gallery level.

• Ffresh Festival 'Newport Stories' - 27/01/2012

  The Newport Stories project encourages people to tell a story about the city in less than 50 words and a single photograph. The project has been created by Ffresh - the Student Moving Image Festival of Wales, the Newport Film School and The Riverfront to celebrate the festival being hosted in Newport for the first time in its 10 year history. A number of well known Newport residents - including the Leader of the City Council Matthew Evans, and authors Matt Beynon Rees and Paul Manship - have contributed stories, which are hosted on the project's website newportstories.tumblr.com. Several of the stories have also been adapted by students from the Film School into short films, which will premiere on the opening night of the film festival on February 8 at The Riverfront. Here's your chance to see some of the best stories and images submitted to the project, which show Newport in all its uncensored glory. If you'd like to submit your own story, email james@ffresh.com

• LGBT History Cymru - 11/02/2012

  Author Alex Drummond will be reading extracts from the book "Queering the Tranny" as part of our events to celebrate LGBT History Cymru.

• The Riverfront Does Strictly - Ballroom - 07/01/2012

  Rubicon Adult Taster Sessions. Saturn Dance will run professional Ballroom and Latin dance classes for adults where you can come along, learn something new, and have some fun! These 6-week courses are suitable for complete beginners with no previous dance experience. At the end of each course you will have a basic social routine in three dances which you will be able to confidently dance with a partner, to music. The course is progressive each week, you will revisit what is taught the previous week as well as learning something new however if you wish to join part-way through the course that is fine! Sessions are led by Darren Jones. Starting on Sat 7 January - Sat 11 February 2012 4pm-5pm (Ballroom) Waltz, Tango , Quickstep and Foxtrot If you fancy learning Latin alongside Ballroom then you could book both classes for the discounted price of £35. 5pm-6pm (Latin) Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba and Jive www.saturndance.com

• The Riverfront Does Strictly - Latin Style - 07/01/2012

  Rubicon Adult Taster Sessions. Saturn Dance will run professional Ballroom and Latin dance classes for adults where you can come along, learn something new, and have some fun! These 6-week courses are suitable for complete beginners with no previous dance experience. At the end of each course you will have a basic social routine in three dances which you will be able to confidently dance with a partner, to music. The course is progressive each week, you will revisit what is taught the previous week as well as learning something new however if you wish to join part-way through the course that is fine! Sessions are led by Darren Jones. Starting on Sat 7 January - Sat 11 February 2012 5pm-6pm (Latin) Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba and Jive If you fancy learning Ballroom alongside Latin then you could book both classes for the discounted price of £35. 4pm-5pm (Ballroom) Waltz, Tango , Quickstep and Foxtrot www.saturndance.com

• Half Term Workshops: Mask Making - 13/02/2012

  To celebrate World Community Arts Week come and join us for some fun creative workshops. Age 6+. All materials provided.

• Half Term Workshops: Chinese Lantern Making - 14/02/2012

  To celebrate World Community Arts Week come and join us for some fun creatve workshops. Ages 6+. All materials provided.

• Resistance (PG) - 13/02/2012

  Director: Amit Gupta Starring: Michael Sheen, Iwan Rheon and Kimberley Nixon UK, 2011, 1 hour 32 minutes Amit Guptas' directorial debut, Resistance, is an adaptation of Owen Sheers' celebrated novel about an alternate history of the second world war. This film explores the 'what if' idea that D-Day didn't work, and Britain was occupied by Nazi Germany. It follows Sarah (Andrea Risenborough), a young farmers wife who one day finds her husband, along with all the rest of the men from their their small Welsh village, missing. Confused and awaiting her husbands return, Sarah, along with the rest of the women, are subdued into co-operation with Nazi officials. The longer Germany's military forces stay, the more the lines between collaboration, occupation and survival get blurred which leads the delicate balance of opposites to whither until eventually equilibrium subsides into conflict. ***TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY - VALENTINES MEAL OFFER*** Two cinema tickets, a meal for two with a glass of Rose wine each - all for just £15! Please prebook your meal so the chefs know how many to cook for... The choice of main course is as follows: Veggie - Creamy mushroom stroganoff served with rice and mixed salad. Meat - Juicy aromatic meatballs and spaghetti served with cheese and garlic bread.

• Theatr Pena presents Dark Love & Deep Song - 15/02/2012

  Readings from the poetry and plays of Federico Garcia Lorca. "Theatre is poetry that rises from the book and becomes human enough to talk and shout, weep and despair."(Lorca 1936) Directed by Hannah O'Leary, Kathryn Dimery, Erica Eirian, Hannah O'Leary, Lisabeth Miles and Olwen Rees will perform readings from Lorca's plays and poetry and acclaimed mezzo-soprano Buddug Verona James will perform the words and music of Lorca and Manuel de Falla. Theatr Peña's association with The Riverfront began in 2009 with the company's remarkable interpretation of Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba. The company returned in 2010 with Brendan Kennelly's The Trojan Women and is back this spring with a series of lunch-time script in hand performances beginning with Dark Love & Deep Song, and continuing with War Songs on Wednesday 14 March. Coming soon... Theatr Peña and The Riverfront's co-production of Jean Genet's 'The Maids'!

• International World Community Arts Day - 15/02/2012

  From Newport to Namibia, Singapore to Seattle, communities around the world are holding exhibitions and events to celebrate the arts! For the 5th year, The Riverfront is celebrating International World Community Arts Week, and there will be an exhibition of art work from local artists in the Gallery and Mezzanine space. Come along and support your creative folks! If you are a visual artist and want to share your work with Newport and the wider community, please contact sally-anne.evans@newport.gov.uk for more information about how you can exhibit your work during The World Community Arts Week. On Wednesday 15 February, as part of World Community Arts Week, there will be an inspirational evening performance at The Riverfront where musicians, dancers, poets, film-makers and other performers are invited to showcase their work and celebrate the arts! If you would like to participate, please contact sally-anne.evans@newport.gov.uk

• The Wheels On The Bus - 17/02/2012

  Their first trip to the theatre should be the best! Developed with teachers to support the early years foundation stage. Join Buster the big red bus with all of his friends on their magical adventures, journeying through a song book loved by the whole family. This is classic sing-a-long fun at its very best for children of all ages. You'll find Buster the bus Coming Round The Mountain, then he'll stop to count Ten Green Bottles, they'll find Five Little Ducks... and then all go Apples and Bananas. So climb aboard and buckle up for the ride of your life! Featuring many more sing-along-favourites and of course, The Wheels on the Bus! So come and join the ride and bring the whole family! Featuring lots of all time sing-a-long favourites! Age 3+ recommended.

• NINE - Mr & Mrs Clark - 17/02/2012

  Directed by Sean Tuan John Design by Suzi Dorey Multimedia Technician - Peter Farago. NINE is a unique piece of interactive dance theatre that challenges both the company and audience to create a truly individual show. Mr and Mrs Clark use a combination of performance styles and film to deliver a searching pastiche on modern living in NINE individual scenes. The audience have the power to choose not only the order of the show as it unfolds but also to see sections repeated as many times as they wish to establish and manipulate the underlying story. NINE was originally conceived for The Dylan Thomas Fringe Festival as a retrospective of work. This brand new version brings the Clarks' trademark twist in the surreal and humorous under the directorship of one of Wales' leading choreographers and filmmakers, Sean Tuan John. Mr and Mrs Clark make physical theatre with strong dance and music elements. They presented The Mr and Mrs Clark Medicine Show at The Big Splash and performed at Comedy Port 2011. www.mrandmrsclark.co.uk

• St David's Foundation: Medley of Music - 18/02/2012

  The Riverfront will play host to a Medley of Music concert in aid of St David's Foundation Hospice Care. It promises to be an amazing evening for all music lovers with Risca Male Choir, Blaenavon Town Band, local vocalist and pianist, Richard Harris, together with local band, Duality. All of the acts enjoy a history of magnificent performances at many prestigious events. All funds raised will support the Foundation's work in the community. Every day, St David's are caring for around 1,000 patients with life threatening illnesses, providing vital at home care and supporting their families through difficult times.

• Visitor Attractions

• Half Term : Newport schools closed

  When: Mon 26 May 2008 to Fri 30 May 2008 
  
  Where: Newport City, South Wales, UK
  Event Status: confirmed
  Event Description: Newport schools closed

• Summer: Newport School Holidays

  When: Mon 21 Jul 2008 to Fri 29 Aug 2008 
  
  Where: Newport, UK
  Event Status: confirmed
  Event Description: Newport schools closed

• Easter Holidays : Newport schools

  When: Mon 6 Apr 2009 to Fri 17 Apr 2009 
  
  Where: Newport, UK
  Event Status: confirmed
  Event Description: Newport schools closed

• More walks in south east Wales

• Valleys promoting heritage trail

  A heritage trail has been launched to promote historic locations in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

• Things to do in South East Wales

  From arts and crafts to music, drama, outdoor activities and more.

• Doctor Who Up Close in the bay

  A exhibition celebrating the BBC's cult sci-fi TV series can be visited in Cardiff Bay.

• Half Term

  When: Mon 21 Feb 2011 to Fri 25 Feb 2011 
  
  Event Status: confirmed